Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-02-24
SIX CULTURE IN KANSAS.
An Address Before the Kansas Legislature
by Prof. Horner.

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An Address Before the Kansas Legislature
by Prof Horner.
The following address upon silk culture was
recently delivered before the present session OF
the Kansas Legislature by Prof Horner, of EN-
poria:
Mr. President and members of the Kansas Legis-
LdLure:
1 am happy for the opportunity now afforded
to address you, as representative men, on so
Important subject the silk culture industry:
and while have purpose in approaching this
legislative body other than TO enlighten you
relative to the question at issue, think my
argument will appear more intelligent when
demonstrate the simple operation OF SILK reel
ing In viewing this operation with This crude,
SIMPLE reel, you can not for i moment doubt the
great possibilities when The mechanical economy
OF the ingenious American is brought in contact
with the silk Keeling industry. Proceeding 10
reel he soon produced very handsome skein
Of silk, which was passed to the audience Tor
examination
Proceeding. the professor said: The magni-
tude of the silk culture industry in China-Jap
Italy and South Russia is beyond our compre-
henson. while in nearly all Oriental countries IL
has attained TO great proportions as an auxiliary
in national support, af1ording suitable employ
ment to millions of people, especially to women
and dependent children in rural and SUBURBAN
districts. The maximum annual production OF
China, Japan and few other Oriental countries,
adding Italy, France and other European coun-
r1es, Is estimated at a value OF SJ0O.OOOOoO, ana
With the rapid increase of population IN the
United States there is a necessity Tor broad
ened opportunities of support During the past
year there was imported ga, 0OOOOO worth OF
raw (reeled) silk, and the noies twaste) winch
after being manufactured in the United states
was valued at SOS 900. 900: adding the imported
manufactured silk valued at s2S,OOoOOO, making
annual consumption of nearly SlOO,OOO,OOO,
which should be supplied by the American pro-
Queer.
Tho argument commonly used against silk
rult c ''cleaD
labor, but American citizen, and espe-
cially as d citizen OF the great State OF Kansas,
which by nature is favored with the essential
elements for successful sericulture. I am slow
to believe that the hampered Oriental LABOR IS
equal to your intelligence and broad opportuni-
ties Orientals are content with small produc-
ton well as with the slow imperfect methods
of their ancestors; but the American by his
broad opportunities, by his intelligence, Will
exercise greater economy, and fully meet the
emergencies.
Success in silk culture is largely due to an
adapted climate and suitable soil for the Wig
orous but healthful growth the mulberry tree;
and having made careful research in this re-
spect, represent that there is a broad zone OF
this continent. especially adapted to the INDUS
try This is due to the drynesS OF the atmos-
phere, and as these essential elements are found
in Kansas and vast district lying to the south
and west the Legislature should make early
provision to commercially develop this impor-
tant industry, and thereby become the common
center 10 WHICH the pTOuuctS Ol Quiet oldIOS
will be sent and SubSerVe to our advantage IN
the silk manufacture This is the golden OPP
portunity for Kansas to become the silk center
of the New World. Let her representative
men arise in their dignity and by judciouG &C
ton declare that Kansas shall become the great
commercial center of sericuliure and don the
robe of silk. To put it in very modified way,
millions of dollars now lie buried under the
buffalo sod of treeless plains that should
come into our treasures through the avenue OF
this industry.
Beside the commercial advantage to be de-
rived from the industry, the multiplied millions
of valuable mulberry trees and hedges that
would decorate our bleak plains, in which the
farmer would have his fence posts and fuel fur
nished in his orchard screens and shelterbelts,
would be of inestimable value to and rapidly in
crease the value of our real estate.
Another great advantage will accrue from the
development of the industry, by judicious ef-
fort the present drain on our State treasury
will be curtailed, affording those unfortunate
people a suitable line of light labor by which
they may receive maintenance and render them
far more happy. More than million dollars
will be needed to support our State chart
ties for the next biennial term. Think
of the cost to the State for the next ten years.
This needless expenditure should be curtailed
by the development OF silk culture. Last but
not least, the great want of the industrial devel
opmcnt of the American girls will be found in
the industry. For this reason, largely, have
labored faithfully for years, and now press this
matter upon this representative body and trust
they will take such action to establish the in
dustry, which can be most successfully done by
establishing silk station, through which insti-
tuition practical scientific knowledge. free, thor
oughbred silk worm seed and mulberry seed may
be distributed, and likewise furnish a market
for cocoons until the necessary silk Keeling fac
tories will be established and thereby put silk
culture On a commercial basis.